Chemical composition and in sacco degradibility of some fodder tree leaves, shrub leaves and herbaceous plants

Abstract

Samples ofleaves of 15 fodder plants, 5 each of tree (bauhinia variegata, Delbergia sisso, Browossonitia paprifera, Ficus infectoria, Toona ciliata) and shrubs (Hibiscus spp, Murraya koenigii, Psidium guajava, Zizyphusjujba, Carissa carandus) and 5of herbaceous plants (Dryopteris spp., Ipomoea nil, Phragmites communis, Cynodon dacty/on, Brachiaria mutica) occurring in Tarai area ofUttaranchal were evaluated for their nutritional value. The OM, CP, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, ash, calcium, phosphorus and tannin content in leaves of different fodder trees/shrubs and herbaceous plants ranged from 81.3 to 93.5, 10.4 to 18.9,28.6 to 68.5, 21.5 to 44.8, 2.4 to 27.5, 14.8 to 39.1,5.6 to 17.4,6.5 to 18.8, 1.4 to 3.4, 0.1 to 0.4 and 0.9 to 7.5% respectively. Asignificant difference in chemical constituents of leaves ofdifferent fodder species was observed. The in sacco dry matter degradation pattern indicated that in leaves of different fodder species it increases with time. At 0 h incubation time dry matter degradation was highest in Toona ciliata (25.4%) followed by Hibiscus spp.(23.4%), Murraya koenigii (22.7%), Brachiaria mutica (21.3%), Ipomoea nil (20.8%), Browossonitia paprifera (20.5%) and lowest being in Psidium guajava (13.0%) indicating the presence of rapidly soluble fraction. Keeping in view the results obtained, it may be concluded that the leaves of Toona ciliata, Browossonitia paprifera (trees), Murraya koenigii, Hibiscus spp. (shrUbs) and Cynodon dacty/on, Brachiaria mutica, Ipomoea nil (herbaceous plants) are higher in nutritive value. Inclusion of edible parts of them in the diet of ruminant animals would be greatly beneficial in increasing productivity oflivestock and decreaseing the cost of production.